MI-SOUTHGATE: City Council to reconsider ordinance on vicious dogs (BSL)

SOUTHGATE: City Council to reconsider ordinance on vicious dogs

Published: Saturday, October 24, 2009
By Rene Cizio

SOUTHGATE — An updated version of a vicious dog ordinance has been sent back for review so City Council members can do more research.

The council was expected to vote Wednesday on an ordinance amendment that would add several restrictions to dog owners, some specifically directed at pit bull and Presa Canario breeds.

Response from the community caused council members to rethink the proposed ordinance.

Additions to the ordinance are based on recent changes by other cities such as Allen Park, Waterford Township and Wyandotte.

Other than pit bulls and Presa Canarios, according to the amendment, a vicious dog is one that has bitten before.

The changes officials are discussing include liability insurance of at least $100,000 and a requirement that owners of vicious dogs pay between $200 and $500 for a dog license instead of the $5 or $10 for non-vicious dogs.

Resident Betty Sowle said her granddaughter owns a pit bull and it isn’t vicious. She said the city should consider only applying the revised fees to new dogs being registered in the city.

“Five hundred dollars is a lot of money,” she said.

Other parts of the amended ordinance say that the dogs must be kept in an enclosure with at least 6-foot walls, secured in concrete, with a lockable gate.

When the animals are inside, all doors and windows need to be secured so they cannot run or jump through screens.

“My No. 1 concern is to protect citizens before anything happens,” Animal Control Officer Aaron Bertera said.

Bertera said he wants an ordinance that will give him the authority to ensure that the dogs are properly confined.

Owners of vicious dogs also have to post signs at least 8 by 10 inches in size with at least 2-inch letters and only the words “PIT BULL DOG,” for example.

Additionally, all vicious dogs must pass the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program.

Other discussion has involved tattooing and micro-chips to identify vicious dogs when at large.

Bertera has been asked to attend council work sessions to further tweak the ordinance.

Councilwoman Theresa Lannen compared the ordinance to another, better known one.

“It’s like a swimming pool fence,” she said.”… It costs more money, but it keeps people safe.”

The News Herald: Breaking news coverage for Southgate, MI